Ties that Bind

Ties #1

by S.K. Brown

Aria Taylor is in survival mode after her recent separation from her husband, Kam, and raising two daughters, Charli and Dylan amidst the chaos and heartache is no easy task. But things are about to get a whole lot more complicated when she runs into her high school sweetheart - literally.

Liam Porter left her in pieces their senior year of high school but he’s back and not just for the scenery. Reconnecting with Liam is the furthest thing from Aria’s mind but when fate steps in and he saves her from an unruly bar patron, their unbreakable connection comes back to light and creates a chain of reactions that neither of them were prepared for.

Kam Taylor may have made some mistakes but the second he sees Liam is back in town, he knows he needs to step up his game. He spent his entire childhood pawning over Aria and he isn’t going to let their marriage slip through the cracks.

Will Aria and Kam be able to save the life that they’ve built together or are some connections just inevitable?

Genres: Romance

449 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2025

Reviews

[Emily Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way my jaw is still on the ground after finishing this book….OMG! This love triangle had me going back and forth between team Liam and team Kam so many times that I’m dizzy. The perfect mix of drama and spice and I loved to read the backstory on the relationships as well. Very well written!

[Gianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A contemporary romance with a love triangle that had me flip flopping who I was rooting for the ENTIRE way through. Such a raw and emotional story, and the crumbs and cliff hanger has me screaming for book two.

[Mackenzie Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debut book for a phenomenal indie author! I was HOOKED before the first chapter ended. I kept switching who I was rooting for up until about 50% in, then I stuck with 1 guy. Loved this book so much.

[Angela Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debut novel & Indie Author.. Yes Please!

Absolutely devoured this book!

The love triangle had me second guessing who I was rooting for the entire book. Grabbed my attention right from the start and pulled me all the way in.  This story was so raw and emotional, I felt the tension and the conflict the characters were dealing with. But let me tell you that ending had my JAW ON THE FLOOR!! Girl, how you going to do us like that!

“Sometimes things happen that break your heart but fix your vision.”

Book #2 :
Ties that Break Pub Date: Feb 22

Read if you like:
✨️Love Triangle
✨️First Loves
✨️Second Chance
✨️Cliffhanger
✨️Small Town Romance
✨️Friends to Lover
✨️🌶🌶🌶🌶

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well shit, when S.K. Brown reached out to me about her debut novel, I took one look at the tropes and knew it would be something I’d enjoy—plus, I’m always down to support indie authors. But what I was not expecting was a story that would grab me by the emotions, drag me in deep, and refuse to let me go. I was so invested I could not put this book down.

Kam, Aria, and Liam’s story is one so many of us can relate to in different ways, and S.K. Brown does an incredible job bringing each of their feelings to life on the page. I loved that we not only get all three POVs, but also glimpses into their pasts—how their experiences shaped them into the adults they are now and how those choices led them to this moment.

Now listen… I was rooting HARD for a certain MMC. Like, to the point where I saw I was nearing the end and felt sad because it was clear my wish wasn’t about to come true. Ma’am, how could you play with my emotions like that 😆? Just leave me dangling off that cliffhanger like it’s nothing!

I need the rest of the story like yesterday. I can’t wait to continue this journey and keep rooting for my MMC pick. And nope—I’m not spoiling a single thing. You’ll just have to grab this fantastic debut yourself and find out who steals your heart.

[Jessica Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! So much drama and spice! I kept going back forth thinking I was Team Kam and Team Liam. And I am still not sure which one I am especially after that ending. Wow! Excited for the next one.

[Christina Longo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good. I am so #TeamLiam . I had been seeing Chapter 7 Book Club mentioning this book and I am so glad I finally got to read it. The author did amazing with the push and pull between both men. It also breaks your heart because you can tell Aria’s struggle. I am about to start the next one so excited!!!

[Kiana Cabral · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one! S.K. Brown really brought these characters to life and had me on an emotional roller coaster. I went back and forth the entire book on which character I was rooting for. It kept me hooked until the very end. I cannot wait for book 2 that will be coming out at the end of the month!!

[Britney Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh I absolutely loved this one! Amazing! I don’t even know whose team I’m supposed to be on but I’m over here team Liam. But the ending?! COME ON. I cannot wait for the second one coming out in a few days!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ate this book up! The back and forth had me hooked. The relationships and emotions felt real and I connected with them. Immediately purchased the second book because of that cliff hanger!!

[Brenda Tolbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. God!
Currently reeling from the bomb dropped on us at the very end of this book.

This has rapidly become one of my favorite books ever! I can’t say enough how good this story is. It’s the perfect mix of messy, violent, Smutty, emotional. Perfection!

Runnn don’t walk to grab this book

[Brittany Padgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Would have read it faster but between sickness and life, it took longer. Was so good and did not expect that jaw dropping ending! Immediately starting Ties that Break!

[Caitlynne Glemba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ties That Bind is the kind of story that tightens around your ribs slowly, then pulls just hard enough to make you feel it.

This book thrives on tension—emotional, relational, and the kind that lives in the unspoken spaces between characters. SK Brown builds connections that feel inevitable, not rushed. Every bond is layered with history, pain, loyalty, and that delicious ache of wanting something you’re not sure you’re allowed to have. The relationships are messy in the most human way, and I loved how nothing felt easy or clean—every choice had weight.

The writing leans atmospheric and intimate, pulling you into the characters’ inner worlds. You don’t just watch them struggle; you sit in it with them. There were moments that made me pause—not because they were loud, but because they were quietly devastating. That’s a strength. This book understands restraint and uses it like a blade.

Why four stars and not five? A few moments felt like they lingered just a bit longer than necessary, and there were places where I wanted either more emotional payoff or a sharper escalation. Not flaws—more like missed opportunities to twist the knife one last time.

Still, Ties That Bind delivers a gripping, emotionally charged story about connection, loyalty, and the cost of loving deeply. It’s the kind of book that stays in your thoughts after you close it—softly haunting, a little painful, and absolutely worth the read.

[Bobbie McKeefry · Rating 4 out of 5]

C7 Book Club. 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up because we can’t do 1/2 stars here and this is a self published author.. With 19” of snow and counting I picked this up to finally finish it. The story line was great. The overall characters were relatable. The spicy scenes weren’t over the top spicy. So many good things. But the book kept losing me because it just carried on toooooooo long. It was tough. I put it down twice and read other books and then finally picked it up to finish as I really wanted to get to the end. Normally this would have been a book I would have flipped to audio for but there was no option as this is a self published author. I really do want to finish the series but unless the option for audio becomes available, this will be a series I will not pick back up. It was just too drawn out, unfortunately.

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a mature, smart romance that leaves you begging for morel! The author, S.K. Brown knows how to connect to the reader. I felt like Aria was one of the most likable FMCs that I have ever read. I wanted to be in her friend group and have slumber parties with Taija. Not to mention her love interests. The author did such a good job of making us feel the same inner conflict that Aria is experiencing. This review will not include spoilers, but vou should expect plenty of secrets that are revealed and a character that I hated with every fber of my being( when you read it, you will understand). Overall, anyone who likes a romance with plenty of spice and plot to match , please give this one a try! It is available now! What are you waiting for?!?

[Shannon Katariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES! To this book. If you love romance, friends to lovers on all aspects then this book is for you. Aria, the FMC, is a wife, mother and mature adult navigating her new world due to some unfortunate events with her marriage. No spoilers here. You have her long time husband Kam and high school sweetheart Liam in this book. It is an exciting and fun book with lots of twists and turns. It made me feel like I was on the edge and on the midst of everything that was happening. There is a book #2 and I can’t wait to continue the story of Aria, Kam and Liam.

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 - Plot. Very interesting plot. Keeps you on the edge of your seat with what might happen next. I really enjoyed it. Made me feel like I was right there!

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 - Characters. I am Team Aria. Very complicated and intriguing characters. Each one is brought to life on the page as you move thru their story.

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 - Spice. Extra Spicy for sure. Fits perfectly in each spicy scene!

P.S. Please check your trigger warnings.

[KindleCousins · Rating 5 out of 5]

wth just happened?!

I have no idea where to start. It was so good. It’s not something I would normally read but the plot was believable. The characters were relatable. I was on an emotional roller coaster. At 57% in I was still questioning every character, interaction and motive. I had no idea who to root for. I was literally on the edge of my seat the whole time. I was extremely conflicted. This was the 1st time i was totally cool with the FMC choosing her own fate, I wanted NOTHING to do with her decision. My input was irrelevant, I just wanted to support her from the sidelines because I had no idea where I wanted this story to go. Then the cliffy… on to the next book

[Toreena Bartholomew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me all in my feelings. I was HOOKED before the first chapter ended. This book had everything!

I kept switching who I was rooting for up until about 50% in, then I stuck with one guy.

This book ended in a cliffhanger that knocked me off my chair! I put my kindle down and I'm like "NO WAY!!"

I literally CAN NOT wait for the next book. thankfully it comes out in a few weeks!!!!
🩷🩷🩷🩷


"Loss is hard, harder than most people are willing to speak on or share with another. No one prepares you for loss. But inevitably, with love comes loss."

[Rosi Colmenares · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW

This is S.K. Brown’s debut novel and wow… she’s definitely onto something. What an emotional roller coaster. If you’re a fan of love triangles, this is 100% your book. The thing about love triangles is you never really know who to root for… but for now, I’m firmly #TeamLiam.

And that cliffhanger??? Absolutely criminal. I just sat there staring at the last page like excuse me, what was that??

Thank God this indie author invited me to be part of her ARC team because I need answers immediately. Starting book 2 ASAP, no questions asked.

[Emma Kazian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This romance was the perfect February/Valentines read. I felt completely immersed in the story. The details and imagery were so vivid I felt like I was watching a tv show. I kept going back and forth the whole book whether I was #TeamLiam or #TeamKam! S.K. Brown might be an indie author, but she sure knows what she is doing! The cliff-hanger ending has me counting down the days until “Ties That Break” is released!

[Jen M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from page one! If I didn’t have small kids I would’ve finished it in one seating! I’m team Liam all the way but also love the commitment Kam brings, but the shit he does throws me off completely. And the end? Wow what a cliff!!! Loved everything about this book and to think it’s a debut novel, amazing!

[Melissa Braley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! The author writes the characters so well that you can envision the book like a movie! I enjoyed it so much that I didn’t want it to end and the story to be over! This book is so well written and the ending - my mouth dropped open!!!

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

indie author or secrete pen name?! This was SO WELL WRITTEN that there’s no way we don’t get more, and see success from this author. I truly had no clue what team I was on at time! Such a quick, enjoyable read!

[Shanna Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great debut! This one will leave you wanting to immediately start the next book in the series. Thankfully, it comes out soon. I loved the characters, the duel POV, the understanding of the history of the characters and living in the present. Everyone needs a Taija in their life. Team Liam!

[ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg !!

This book kept me hooked, there was not a moment i thought about closing it and waiting for another day to continue to read. I wanted to read it all! And then ending…. Let’s just say I’m ready for book 2 and can’t wait to see what you put out next.

[Alison Slone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally shook! I’m on the edge of my seat eager to find out what happens next! Can’t wait for the next book. THAT ENDINGGGGGG

[Brittany Staton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book! I went back and forth between team Kam and team Liam throughout the book and that ending!?! I can't wait for book #2!

[Amber Dukes · Rating 4 out of 5]

i enjoyed the story line i definitely wanna read the next book however a little much smut for me i don’t mind some but just this was excessive for me but overall great book

[Angela E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read.

Very very good. Couldn't put it down. The heat from the sex scenes could've caught the book on fire! Amazing writer!! Going to have to find all of her books now.

[Kelley Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, easy read! Can’t wait to start book 2!